Transcript Highlights:

• There are tests produced by Kaplan, an entity called HESI, ATI.
• We actually do ours in a contest format. Thank you for bringing this forward.
• We actually do ours in a contest format. And so we get to do one-on-ones with them.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard three bills. HB 919 on nursing education programs would tighten accountability for nursing schools with low NCLEX pass rates by shortening the probation period, requiring remediation plans, mandating free remediation for students who fail, and requiring tuition reimbursement for programs with very low pass rates. The sponsor argued Florida’s nursing pass rates are unacceptably low and that stronger consequences are needed; opponents warned the bill could shut down programs, worsen the nursing shortage, and unfairly target private schools, while supporters said it would protect students and improve outcomes. After debate, the bill was reported favorably by a vote of 18-0. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1261, the “Smart Living Act,” a student-driven proposal from Jefferson High School in Hillsborough County to expand personal financial literacy and practical life-skills instruction in high school. Students and school officials testified that the bill would better prepare graduates for adulthood by covering topics such as budgeting, credit, loans, FAFSA, resumes, interviews, and basic household skills. Members praised the students’ work and the bill’s practical focus, and the PCS was reported favorably 18-0. Finally, the committee considered HB 809, which would exempt school social workers from educator certification requirements for general and subject-area knowledge. Supporters from Lee and Broward counties said the current testing requirement is unrelated to social work, creates financial and recruitment barriers, and has contributed to staffing shortages. Members from both parties supported the measure as a simple way to remove an obstacle to hiring and retaining school social workers. HB 809 was also reported favorably by a vote of 18-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of this information is posted on our website in a dashboard format.
• production and production. and we can require them to provide all the documentation in a digestible format
• We've had an entity that's been propped up called Stop Houston Murders, and the campaign rhetoric said

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think that is where those two entities come in.
• So it would be from lead to license to have an entity that would then be able to license those foster
• I can get you those entities specifically.
• Each of these three, well, I believe each of these three entities discussed.
• I am not certain that the Attorney General is the right entity to do that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Non-competes suppress wages, reduce new business formation, and stifle innovation.
• and stifle Innovation and formation and stifle Innovation and that's<00:14:00.240> true<00:14
• <00:16:06.240> Innovation<00:16:06.880> and new business formation Innovation and new
• business formation Innovation and increases<00:16:07.519> the<00:16:07.680> productivity
• He had not engaged in a voluntary contractual relationship with this new entity, yet by virtue of growing

Bills: HF1355, HF1469, HF1768

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF1469, Minnesota, workforce development, job training, job skills training, reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, ex-offenders, inmates, recently released inmates, felony conviction, felony-level offense, corrections, prison release

Transcript Highlights:

• information to the Department of Commerce to understand the financial condition of non-insurance entities
• It also allows an official to correct any official ballot if a formatting issue occurs.
• Certainly, we Routinely check for 990 status if the entity puts itself out there as a 501(c)(3).
• And so there are different types of entities that receive federal funds, and it really kind of depends
• If an entity is a 501(c)(3), then an up-to-date 990 is absolutely something that we will insist on.

Bills: HF2354, HF1672, HF2389, HF2870, HF2743, HF1918, HF2551, HF1671

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• It's something you should be establishing as an entity.
• North Dakota doesn't have those types of entities.
• It's a little bit of an interesting entity.
• It's an interesting entity.
• Or are we okay by having multiple entities...

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, establishing its purpose as a study and policy-development body rather than one aimed at producing many bills. Majority Leader Hogue urged members to move quickly, focus on federal and other states’ AI laws, consider possible federal preemption, child protections, and the siting and economic impacts of data centers. Committee leadership echoed that the goal is practical, balanced governance that protects North Dakota while allowing innovation to continue. Legislative Council staff provided a background memo and NCSL presented a detailed overview of AI concepts and the current state legislative landscape. The presentations distinguished narrow AI, generative AI, agentic AI, and theoretical AGI/ASI, and summarized major state policy themes: comprehensive AI laws in states such as Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois; targeted laws on deepfakes, chatbots, health, education, notifications, and digital likeness; and growing use of appropriations and agency inventories. Members asked about Colorado’s repeal and reenactment, Texas’s sandbox and training provisions, oversight structures, and whether AI regulation is bipartisan; presenters said most issues cut across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfakes but more division on broader regulatory approaches. The federal update focused on executive orders, preemption, and congressional activity. NCSL described a White House framework favoring a single federal standard, a DOJ litigation task force, Commerce Department review of state laws, and possible funding conditions tied to state AI policy, though no formal state-law challenge had yet occurred. The presentation also covered a recent executive order creating a voluntary federal vetting process for advanced frontier models after safety concerns, and congressional proposals including a failed 10-year state moratorium, Senator Blackburn’s child-safety bills, the Kids Online Safety Act, a House-passed children’s digital safety package, a Senate data center moratorium proposal, and a House ratepayer/data-center bill. The committee took no formal action beyond receiving testimony and asking questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is specifically saying there are local government entities that followed the law that was passed
• And there's an amendment to get the bill in its proper format. That I would like to offer too.
• We're looking for a special kind of place where we can drop entities from a particular engagement without
• You might see, again, like 21 entities dropping out of townships and over 100 entities dropping out of
• I think that we already work closely with the entities: the state department, highway department, and

Transcript Highlights:

• It's something you should be establishing as an entity.
• North Dakota doesn't have those types of entities.
• It's a little bit of an interesting entity.
• It's an interesting entity.
• Or are we okay by having multiple entities...

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are too many little entities in between here that need some assistance.
• But there are too many little entities in between here that need some assistance.
• It's up to another body that has really no insight on that department because they're a different entity
• And certainly we believe that there is a fiscal impact on that to the government entities, which are
• makes that underlying data that is already available and already exists in a usable, downloadable format

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• attendance and with the cell tower developer in attendance to answer questions in a way and in a format
• attendance and with the cell tower developer in attendance to answer questions in a way and in a format
• made by campaign totaling $1,000 or more made by the<00:47:48.680> lobbying<00:47:49.200> entity
• entity including any enacted<00:47:52.040> or<00:47:52.160> introduced<00:47:52.640>
• Additionally, a lobbying entity advertisement report does not need to be filed if they have already filed

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first debated House Bill 527, extending the sunset of 30 V.S.A. chapter 248A, which governs telecom tower siting. Members discussed a Senate proposal of amendment that would require a mandatory local hearing with the developer and the Department of Public Service present. Supporters said the change would improve public participation and local control, especially for rural towns, while opponents argued it could either stall telecom development or speed it up with less input. Several members also raised concerns about health effects of RF radiation and cited scientific studies and court actions, while others said they had not seen evidence of the harms claimed and emphasized the importance of connectivity. A proposed further amendment to shorten the sunset to one year was defeated by roll call, 52-89, and the House then concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment by roll call, 122-14. The House then took up House Bill 686, relating to expanding identification of certain lobbying advertisements. After suspending rules, members heard a summary of the Senate’s strike-all amendment, which broadened the definition of lobbying communications and required clearer identification and reporting for paid lobbying ads, while avoiding duplicate reporting where campaign finance disclosures already apply. The Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported a 10-1-1 straw poll in favor, and the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. Next, the House considered Senate Bill 326, miscellaneous amendments to motor vehicle laws. The Transportation Committee described the changes as largely technical, including provisions related to hands-free cell phone use for commercial drivers and to mufflers, motorcycles, and annual inspections. After testimony from Legislative Council and the Department of Motor Vehicles, the committee recommended concurrence on a 9-1-1 straw poll, and the House concurred and then voted to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The chamber also took up the conference report on House Bill 642, youthful offender proceedings, with the conference committee restoring House language allowing victims to attend and present impact statements at both hearings and making several technical cross-reference corrections; the report was presented for House consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are too many little entities in between here that need some assistance.
• It's up to another body that has really no insight on that department because they're a different entity
• It's up to another body that has really no insight on that department because they're a different entity
• And certainly, we believe that there is a fiscal impact on the government entities, which are either
• underlying data that is already available and already exists available in a usable, downloadable format

Summary: The committee first approved the April 28 minutes and announced that Senate Bill 499 was voluntarily deferred. It then heard several House bills, beginning with HB 168, a reentry/transitional housing program for female parolees near release; supporters said it would improve public safety and reduce recidivism, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 322, a cleanup bill from the Maggie Grace Act clarifying that victims or families requesting transcripts would not be charged, was also reported favorably without objection. HB 622, which aligns Louisiana criminal history information practices with federal rules, was amended and then reported favorably. HB 821, moving the School for Safe Centers from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, was reported favorably as well. The committee then took up HB 364, which directs State Police to partner on public awareness efforts about the illegality of discharging firearms, especially around holidays. An amendment removed a proposed printing cost and shifted the bill toward PSAs; the bill was reported favorably with amendments. HB 568, which strengthens enforcement of drug-free school zone laws by creating a clearer offense for openly smoking or vaping illegal drugs in school zones and setting a specific penalty for marijuana, drew extensive debate. Supporters, including the author and governor’s office, said it was needed to protect children and families and to give law enforcement a workable deterrent. Opponents argued it would impose harsh, geography-based penalties, sweep in medical cannabis patients and veterans, and worsen racial and fiscal disparities. After roll-call, the committee reported HB 568 favorably by a 3-2 vote. The committee also approved HB 296, a cleanup bill removing long-defunct programs from statute, without objection. HB 823, creating an Orleans Parish DA pilot diversion program for unhoused people accused of nonviolent offenses, was supported by Covenant House and others as a way to avoid criminalizing homelessness and was reported favorably without objection. Finally, HB 1038, a major bill revising the authority and liability structure of city marshals and local governments, prompted extensive testimony. The bill and amendments would limit some marshal powers in smaller jurisdictions, require local approval for certain staffing/insurance matters, and allow local governments to restore powers by ordinance. Supporters said it would reduce liability, clarify authority, and address problems in some marshal offices; opponents, including multiple marshals and law enforcement supporters, said it would undermine elected marshals, hurt small offices, and was too broad and under-studied. The transcript ends amid that hearing, with no final committee action shown on HB 1038.

Transcript Highlights:

• on this timeline are to finalize the servicing model and either vet and choose the most qualified entity
• or entities to be a service administrator, or determine staffing requirements to underwrite, bind, and
• /c><00:18:00.159> being<00:18:00.280> a<00:18:00.360> state<00:18:00.840> entity
• <00:18:01.840> uh advantage of being a state entity uh advantage of being a state entity uh
• It's been mentioned a little bit earlier that HHF and HPIA are different types of entities.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal is not to take gaming away or take it away from another entity.
• Now, how many of these folks surveyed are actually able to provide that within their entity?
• When I say education, I mean some sort of curriculum-based format. So that's a teacher, students.
• A curriculum-based format. So that's a teacher, students.
• It could be some other person or entity that is supporting the trafficker somehow.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 19 through 28, charter school operations and governance includes language regarding the formation
• And if that student were appointed by one of the four entities that have the capacity to appoint a member—the
• the greater controls for charter schools and provisions giving districts the ability to object to formation
• the greater controls for charter schools and provisions giving districts the ability to object to formation

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Apparently, we get a score of a AAA-rated entity, but because they don't believe we have enough money
• Apparently, we get a score of a AAA-rated entity, but because they don't believe we have enough money
• <02:27:21.000> AAA<02:27:21.600> rated<02:27:22.520> um<02:27:23.080> entity
• Again, being a AAA-rated entity will be really something to be proud of, but you're right: the current
• um will be really a AAA uh rated entity um will be really um<02:29:22.880> um<02:29:23.240>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with an overview from the Legislative Budget Assistant Office on how Ways and Means will work with agencies and leadership during the budget and revenue-estimating process. Staff explained that the governor’s budget is still being developed, agencies are cautious about going on record early, and the committee will use worksheets and updated fiscal reports to track estimates. The presentation emphasized that the fiscal year 2025 budget status is a point-in-time snapshot and remains fluid because the annual comprehensive financial report has been delayed, which could change the beginning balances for both the general fund and education trust fund. The budget update highlighted that the general fund is currently stronger than originally assumed, while the education trust fund is weaker. The speaker said the general fund began FY25 with a much larger balance than expected, while the education trust fund came in lower due to higher-than-budgeted adequacy spending and weaker business tax performance. Revenue trends showed the general fund slightly ahead year to date, but the education trust fund down significantly. The committee also discussed unbudgeted appropriations, including attorney general litigation, legal settlements, abandoned property claims, adequacy true-ups, and education freedom accounts, as well as the role of lapses and off-budget items in the final balance. Members asked about the delayed liquor commission audit and whether it could affect revenue forecasts. Staff said the delay was mainly caused by the commission’s switch in point-of-sale systems and staffing losses, but did not expect major ongoing reporting issues. They also noted that liquor fund variances are more likely tied to Medicaid expansion costs than to commission operations. The governor’s office was said to be working on possible budget reductions, but no January request to the fiscal committee was expected. Commissioner Lindsay Stepp of the Department of Revenue Administration then presented an overview of state revenue sources, focusing first on the meals and rentals tax. She explained that DRA administers 14 taxes that account for most state revenue, and that meals and rentals tax growth has slowed after strong post-pandemic gains. She described factors affecting the tax, including employment, inflation, fuel and food prices, wages, and weather, and noted that online platforms like Airbnb have improved compliance by collecting and remitting tax on behalf of hosts. Members asked about short-term rental compliance and how DRA identifies unlicensed rentals; Stepp said referrals, anonymous tips, and platform data help enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• The top portion of Toit's response is a standard admit-deny format, and any claims regarding Sam's incapacity
• The top portion of Toit's response is a standard admit-deny format, and any claims regarding Sam's incapacity
• If you would name the entities that are, when you say 'they,' I need to know which entity took an action

Summary: The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse opened by explaining it was gathering testimony on elder abuse, especially alleged misconduct involving court-appointed systems such as guardians ad litem and fiduciaries, to identify gaps in law and oversight and develop legislative fixes. The chair limited each witness’s time, asked for names and contact information for follow-up, and repeatedly noted that some allegations might warrant referral to law enforcement, the attorney general, or county attorneys if basic criminal elements were present. Several witnesses described alleged abuse in guardianship, conservatorship, and fiduciary cases. Dr. Holly Lauder said her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, was subjected to allegedly deficient psychological capacity evaluations that ignored treating doctors and family input, leading to a fiduciary arrangement that later resulted in neglect. Kevin Axson described his mother’s probate case, saying a guardian ad litem and conservator were appointed after a family financial dispute, that the guardian ad litem and fiduciary had little contact with his mother, and that the estate was burdened with substantial fees and a $200,000 bond requirement. Frieda Alvarado testified about a 94-year-old client, Samuel Armento, saying he was isolated, medicated without his request, and treated without dignity after a fiduciary and care team took control. Bill Chalmers, Johnny Hamilton, and Kathy Hamilton also testified about Sam Armento’s case, alleging isolation, excessive fees, conflicts of interest, and poor oversight by fiduciaries and caregivers. Other witnesses raised broader concerns about Arizona probate practices. David Redkey said he has been under a long-running conservatorship despite earning degrees and maintaining capacity, and alleged that court-appointed professionals and fiduciaries overcharged his estate and blocked efforts to terminate the arrangement. Susan Wolfe described the Peyton case, alleging that a wife’s conservatorship and related court actions led to the loss of assets, exclusion of witnesses, and large fees for a relatively small monthly care bill. Dr. Lewis Heller, an OB-GYN and disciplinary committee member, said the medical evaluations he reviewed showed the people involved were competent and that the conduct he observed was unethical and possibly criminal. Renee Self testified that she lost her role as trustee and spent large sums defending her father’s estate, alleging that the probate process stripped her father of assets and limited her access to him despite APS findings that her actions were in his best interests. No formal committee votes or legislative actions were taken in the excerpt, but members repeatedly expressed concern, asked for documents and transcripts, and indicated they would follow up with witnesses and consider stakeholder meetings to craft legislation addressing oversight, transparency, and accountability in guardianship and fiduciary systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are our own legal entity. So we are set up under Texas law as a 501(c)(6). C3 or C4? C6. Okay.
• prospect that individuals’ right of conscience is—I can have profound disagreement with different entities
• measures to prevent minors from checking out sexually explicit material, including through digital formats
• measures to prevent minors from checking out sexually explicit material, including through digital formats

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB 1130

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The committee first reopened public testimony on Senate Bill 2713, which concerned protections for freedom of conscience in the context of Realtor association discipline. Texas Realtors representatives testified that their organization is a separate Texas legal entity but affiliated with the National Association of Realtors through a charter and code of ethics. They said Texas Realtors is neutral on SB 2713, that their ethics process is focused on fair housing and equal professional service, and that they have not suspended or terminated anyone in Texas for religious or political speech. Senators pressed them on whether national standards could override Texas law and on examples from other states; the witnesses said state and federal law control and that they would comply with Texas law if the bill passed. Public testimony then closed and SB 2713 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1698 on e-cigarettes. Senator Parker explained a committee substitute that tightened enforcement, required distributor registration, expanded regulation to nicotine from any source, added restrictions on child-appealing packaging, authorized inspections and audits, and set compliance deadlines later in 2025 and 2026. After questions, the substitute was adopted and SB 1698, as substituted, was reported favorably to the full Senate on a 6-0 vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2487 on crisis and mental health facilities. Senator Parker described a substitute that renamed the program a crisis service model, allowed multiple county facilities, added local siting limits, expanded staffing options, shortened clinical timelines, required discharge referrals, directed law enforcement and EMS to transport people there first, and created local boards and expanded reporting. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-0 vote, also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2819, dealing with political activities of county elections administrators, was then reported favorably on a 6-0 vote and likewise sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2043 was withdrawn. The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2101, which would require municipal public libraries to move sexually explicit materials out of minors’ sections and impose age-verification and review requirements. Supporters argued the bill would protect children from explicit material in public libraries and that libraries should not be left to self-regulate. Opponents, including librarians, parents, authors, and ACLU representatives, argued the definitions were vague, the bill would be costly and burdensome for small libraries, could function as a book ban, and would restrict teens’ access to classics, research materials, and other books. Several witnesses said parents should make those decisions, not the state. The bill’s author said the committee substitute was still being worked on and asked witnesses to review it; public testimony remained open in the portion provided, with no final action on SB 2101 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But if a governmental or quasi-governmental entity comes in and takes it by eminent domain, it will be
• Do you not think you have the formations? Two reasons: one is we don't know about the formations.
• We are the only entities that can regulate groundwater, and we do that the best we can.

Bills: HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Those happen across the entire state in an in-person format.
• I would expect any entity, including our own budget, to be balanced and projected at the end of the year
• We are the only statewide entity that can monitor that application data in real time to observe potentially
• the way we process students for financial aid utilizes the data that we receive through the newly formatted

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In its bylaws, the Governance Council has defined itself as a private entity that is not subject to public
• Given the above, the committee whose formation is contemplated in HB 541 would have such a broad and
• failure given the above the committee failure given the above the committee whose<04:14:08.359> formation
• > is<04:14:09.199> contemplated<04:14:10.000> in<04:14:10.239> HB whose formation
• is contemplated in HB whose formation is contemplated in HB 541<04:14:12.040> would<04:14:12.319

Keywords: 1189, house, all